{"product_id":"finding-francois-a-story-about-the-healing-power-of-friendship","title":"Finding François: A Story about the Healing Power of Friendship","description":"\u003cb\u003eFor fans of \u003ci\u003eThe Rough Patch\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eA Sick Day for Amos McGee\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eIn a Jar\u003c\/i\u003e comes a tender and gently adventurous gem about the power of friends to soothe aches big and small.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAlice, a little piglet, loves life with her grandmother, making lists and crème brûlée, organizing buttons, and taking walks. Still, Alice wishes she had a sister--or even a brother. So, she does the sensible thing: She writes a note (\"Hello! I am Alice\"), tucks it into a bottle, and tosses it into the river, where it drifts out to sea, is captured by an octopus, picked up by a seagull, and arrives at a faraway lighthouse. There, François, a little dog, lives with his dad. François is everything Alice could wish for in a friend, and soon the seas are busy with their bottled correspondence. But when a big change comes, and Alice can't bring herself to write François more letters, will the simple comforts of time, love, and friendship restore the light to Alice's life? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn this marvelous, gently funny and reassuring tale, the lucky and lovely friendship between Alice and François spans the length of the River Seine and the loss of a loved one. Award-winning author and artist Gus Gordon captures the highs and lows of being little, and tenderly shepherds kids on a journey full of fantastic possibilities, friendship, and healing. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e* \"Reminiscent of William Steig . . . Will warm hearts and minds with each reading.\"\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e --Kirkus\u003c\/i\u003e (starred review)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"[A book] to help kids navigate life.\" --\u003c\/b\u003eHuffPost\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e* \"Endearing . . . Expressive . . . Heartening . . . Memorable\"\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e --Booklist\u003c\/i\u003e (starred review)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Joyful [and] contemplative. [A] timely message that friendships can be maintained over distance and time.\" --\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eBCCB\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Triumphant, [with] gentle tongue-in-cheek humor [amid a] central theme of enduring love.\"\u003c\/b\u003e --\u003ci\u003ePW\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Charming. [A] soothing, kid-friendly approach to life after loss.\"\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e --SLJ\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Earnest and playful . . . tender and inviting.\"\u003c\/b\u003e --\u003ci\u003eThe Horn Book\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGus Gordon is a writer and illustrator of books for small people, and older people who like small people's books. His works include \u003ci\u003eI Am Cow, Hear Me Moo!\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eHerman and Rosie\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eSomewhere Else\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eThe Last Peach\u003c\/i\u003e. Gus lives with his wife and three kids in the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Dial Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50368832602386,"sku":"9780525554004","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_b2c389c9-9da6-44dd-a1b3-2a06737153b7.jpg?v=1728515743","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/finding-francois-a-story-about-the-healing-power-of-friendship","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}